Life and Work of Avatar Meher Baba 1966 by AMBCSC ARCHIVES PRINT LIBRARIES

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Published by: A. C. S. CHARI, KOMALA VILAS, 73, RASHBEHARI AVENUE, CALCUTTA—26 (INDIA)

First Edition: February, 1962 Second (Revised) Edition : November, 1962 Third (Revised) Edition: June, 1966

HOW TO LOVE GOD “To love God in the most practical way is to love our fellow-beings. If we feel for others in the same way as we feel for our own dear ones, we love God. “If, instead of seeing faults in others, we look within our selves, we are loving God. “If, instead of robbing others to help ourselves, we rob our selves to help others, we are loving God. “If we suffer in the sufferings of others and feel happy in the happiness of others, we are loving God. “If, instead of worrying over our own misfortunes, we think of ourselves more fortunate than many many others, we are loving God. “If we endure our lot with patience and contentment, ac cepting it as His Will, we are loving God. “If we understand and feel that the greatest act of devotion and worship to God is not to hurt or harm any of His beings, we are loving God. “To love God as He ought to be loved, we must live for God and die for God, knowing that the goal of life is to love God, and find Him as our own Self”. —

MEHER BABA

“God is for those i’ho are not for themselves” “Although I take birth for all mankind, fortunate are those who love Iv!e ‘i’hile I am still on earth” —

MEHER BABA

AN INTRODUCTORY SKETCH ON THE LIFE AND WORK OF AVATAR MEHER BABA (By MR. A. C. S. CHARI) Third (Revised) Edition **

ORN on the 25th February, 1894, as the second of the eight children of Persian parents (Parsees of the Zoroastrian faith) who had then settled in Poona (India), Merwan (Meherwan) Sheriar Irani completed his preparatory school grades at St. Vincent’s High School, Poona, with high credit, and at the age of 17, entered the Deccan College, Poona. His father, Sheriar Mundegar Irani was a real seeker of God and a great Sufi. Merwan seemed in all respects a normal, healthy, happy boy, rather mischievous, loving the beautiful and despising the mean and the petty, and noted for his gentleness and unselfishness. He did not appear to have been seeking anything outside the boundaries of his mundane activities. He was methodical and junctual, and a rapid learner. He loved the poetry and literature of the West as well as of the East, excelled in studies and sports (cricket and hockey), was a leader in his class, well-liked by his classmates and teachers. He was brisk and alert to an unusual degree, a quick walker and a fast runner. His main interest was in literature and he read eagerly Shakespeare, Wordsworth, Shelley as well as many other English, Indian and Persian poets. He was and is particularly fond of the great Persian Mystic poet Hafiz. Under the inspiration of Hafiz, he wrote many poems in Indian dialects, in Persian and also in English, which were ac cepted and published in newspapers and journals of that time. He loved music and had a beautiful singing voice. He also took interest in mystery stories, and at the age of 15, wrote a story which was accepted and printed. In school and college, he was regarded as a natural leader, called upon to arbitrate whenever quarrels arose ; the boys came to him for advice on all subjects. At Deccan College, he formed a club called the “Cosmopolitan club”, membership to which was open to anybody regardless

** Grateful to Dr. H.P.B. and to E. J. for many suggestions, corrections and additions in this Revised Edition.

habit was always to disband and dissolve them after a short time. But, the ways of Perfect Masters have unquestionably deeper meaning and purpose. To quote Meher Baba: When one has to erect a large building a temporary ca ifolding is erected. When the building is completed, the scaffolding is removed. The schools, hospitals, etc., were but scaffoldings for My real work. Now that that is finished, the scaffolding has to go”. Meher Baba always discouraged narrow attachment to insti tutions and ashrams, and broke them up when he found people getting themselves involved in separatist tendencies. At the same time, he wants individuals and groups to co-operate and co-ordinate their efforts in the spread of His name and messages. Since 10th July, 1925, Meher Baba has observed complete silence of the tongue, not uttering a word. This silence continues till this date. Between July 1925 and December 1926, Meher Baba wrote an account of his spiritual experiences ; this book, however, has not been published yet, and is kept in safe custody Baba says that it contains hitherto unknown spiritual secrets. The world hopes that it will someday be released, and this depends upon the will and pleasure of Meher Baba. -

Since January 1927, Baba ceased writing, except very rarely putting his signature*. Till 7th October, 1954, Meher Baba was communicating by means of an English alphabet board on which he spelt out words by pointing at the letters with his fingers. After 7th October, 1954, even the alphabet board was abandoned, and since then, he communicates only by gestures. All works published under his name containing his discourses, messages or “sayings” were dictated by him either through the aforesaid alphabet board or by gestures and recorded by his close followers. On the back cover page of this brochure, is given a list of books, now available, some published under Meher Baba’s name and some by authors who have come into contact with him. The list also contains journals (now current) giving information of Meher Baba’s work and propagating his messages and teachings. Some of the books were printed in America, England and Australia, and the rest in India. *

He signs ‘M. S. Irani’.

Mehe Baba attends to and replies to letters and telegrams from his lovers all over the world, in the said manner. Those staying near Meher Baba (called his “Mandali”) act as inter preters whenever a new visitor finds difficulty in following Meher Baba’s gestures, or whenever Meher Baba gives “darshan” to his lovers or to the public or audience to anyone. When asked “Is it not difficult for you to express yourself clearly (be cause of your silence) in your high mission and noble under taking ?“, Meher Baba’s reply was : “No ; because, both inter nal and external mediums are at my disposal”. “God has been everlastingly working in silence, unobserved, unheard, except by those who experience His Infinite Silence”. Meher Baba leads a very simple life of strict celibacy, eats little and simple food, vegetarian in his usual normal routine diet, and never sleeps like an ordinary human being. “In superconsciousness, the soul experiences itself as allmighty, its bliss is unbounded and its continuous awareness of itself as the Infinite Truth admits no slightest interruption by the self-forgetfulness of the ordinary sleep-state, dream-state, or (Listen, Humanity* page 126). wake-state”. He often retires in strict seclusion and observes long and strenuous fasts. He has no mutt, or ashram or organisation or institution. He does not usually allow anyone to touch his feet or offer pranam or prostration. He does not wear any of the marks or robes of a saint, he does not grow any beard, but dresses plainly and lives as an ordinary man. He moves and mixes freely of course when he allows occasions for us to with one and all keeps everyone at ease, plays meet him and remain with him with you, cracks jokes, sometimes has games of marbles or cards, enjoys humour and fun, listens to humorous stories and very much enjoys jokes made at his expense (of course, depends on his mood at the time). The modern man is drawn to him and finds in him LOVE which is the kernel of all religions and faiths and even atheism, and perhaps because Baba does not profess to teach, but declares that He only awakens the Divine Love in everyone. Some are rather outraged because he does not fit into their preconceived pattern of a Master. They forget that this Master Meher Baba does not follow any pattern and that he breaks all —

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patterns. There is in him no awe-inspiring solemnity or sereneness that is attributed usually to the occult hierarchy, except, however, on certain occasions when his lovers have the chance of ob serving from a distance Meher Baba being engrossed in ‘internal’ or esoteric work on other planes. As for all Perfect Masters, it is simple for Meher Baba to be in one place physically and be present at another place or places perhaps thousands of miles away, at the same time. At present, he lives in Pimpalgaon (the place also called “Meher-azad”), nine miles from Ahmed nagar (Maharashtra State, India). Now-a-days, during AprilJune, he stays in “GURU PRASAD” bungalow, Poona (India). He is particularly interested in contacting advanced souls and souls intoxicated with divine love called “Mast-s” who are on different planes of consciousness. Meher Baba has toured a great deal incognito, to several remote places putting himself to considerable hardship and expense and contacted thousands of these “Mast-s” in India and other foreign countries. He gives the “Mast-s” unique effective guidance and spiritual push and he facilitates their onward march on the Path, so that they become more and more fit as vehicles for the expression of the Divine will. They become more efficient agents for the promotion of God’s plan on earth. Meher Baba is also particularly interested in contacting the poor, the blind and the lepers, bathing them, washing their feet, placing his head on their feet, doing service to them and presenting them with gifts of grain, cloth, fruits and cash. Baba has been noted for his silent work done in seclusion, always unannounced and unostentatious and very often in cognito. His work and plans are not revealed even to his close “Mandali” very often, though everyone of his lovers thirsts to know more about the several aspects of his Avataric work. As instances, lovers in Bengal and Bihar would be interested to know that Meher Baba was physically present incognito and worked for many days and rendered service and help in Calcutta and other parts of Bengal during the Great Famine of 1943. In October, 1950, shortly after the Bihar floods, he was present incognito in some of the worst affected villages and gave relief to the victims of the flood. On that occasion (October, 1950), Baba passed through Calcutta incognito, stayed for four or five days, spent some hours one day in the room (once occupied by 6

Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa Dev and Sree Sarada Devi) in Daksbineswar temple. (Vide “The Awakener”, Vol. VII, No. 1, pp. 25-29). The little of Baba’s work that is known to and revealed to his close “Mandali” and lovers may not perhaps be correctly understood and adequately appreciated by us. Meher Baba has been active not only in India but in foreign countries. His first trip to England was in 1931, second in 1932, and thereafter a few more between 1932 and 1958. In all, he has made six journeys to America including Europe, and about ten journeys to other foreign countries. He is now a wellknown International Spiritual Personality and looked upon by innumerable persons in India, Pakistan, England, America, Australia, Germany, Switzerland, Mexico, Lebanon, New Zea land, Greece, Jerusalem, South Africa, Egypt, Japan, Ceylon, Malaya, France, Persia (Iran) and other countries, as the “AVATAR of the Age” the living Christ or Messiah. —

Regarding his spiritual mission, Meher Baba emphatically and with unquestionable authority declares that He is the Highest of the High, the Ancient One, the living Christ, the Avatar of the Age. He often emphasises : “Ihave come not to teach, but to awaken”— in other words, to give a general spiritual push to the whole of humanity and to lead those who come to Him towards the Light of the Truth. His spiritual help is not only individual, but collec tive, and it affects every phase of the daily life of man. He never interferes with one’s religious beliefs and he permits all to follow unhindered their own creeds, customs and rituals. He gives no such thing as ‘initiation’, etc. He generally prescribes no pooja, mantra, japa, tapas, yoga or ritual There have been, however, a few exceptions, perhaps necessitated for special reasons concerning the respective individuals or groups. The only “sadhana” he prescribes is “LOVE”, which should be one’s attitude in thought, word and deed every moment, while living the normal life of the world and doing one’s work or duty as a worldly or normal human being. “I will teach (train) you how to move in the world, yet be at all times in inward communion with ME as the INFINITE BEING”. This, Meher Baba says, can only be successfully done and lived by the grace of a Perfect Master. He never uses expressions like “devotees” or “disciples” but refers to all as “His Lovers”. His lovers today belong to all .

nationalities, stations in life, born in different circumstances and strata of society and professing different religions and creeds and even no religion or atheism. There are thousands, both in the East and in the West, who implicitly obey and follow him, so implicitly and lovingly that they are prepared cheer fully and whole-heartedly to do anything at his orders, nay, even a suggestion or hint. Among them are his own family members, including his three younger brothers now alive (Jal, Behram and Adi*) and his sister (Mani). Incidentally, his elder brother Jamshedji died in 1926 and his father Sheriar Mundegar Irani passed away in April, 1932. His mother Mrs. Shirinbanoo (Shirin-Mai) dropped her body in February 1943. Jamshedji loved Meher Baba intensely and died with loud utterances of Baba’s name. Sheriarji, the father, actually worshipped Meher Baba’s photo and Baba as God and had no doubts of the Avatarhood of his son. Hazrat Baba Jan, till the date of her dropping her body on 21st September, 1931 (the time of Meher Baba’s first visit to the West) at her very ripe old age of 127 years, had known from the time of her own inner illumination that it was her lot to awaken Merwan to his great mission of ETERNAL AVATAR and she regarded Meher Baba as such, and spoke to others of Meher Baba’s Avatarhood and greatness. In Hazrat Baba Jan’s words: “I have made you so perfect, that very soon you will have half the world at your feet”. Sri Upasani Maharaj also likewise regarded Merwan undoubt&tly as the Avatar of the Age. Till the time of Upasani Maharaj dropping his body on 24th December, 1941, there were occasions when he paid visits to the house of one of his lovers and performed “aarti” to Meher Baba’s photos or pictures. On one occasion, Sri Upasani Maharaj folded his hands to Meher Baba and said “Merwan, you are the Avatar, and I salute you”. On 17th October, 1941, there was a very important meeting between Sri Upasani Maharaj and Meher Baba, the details of which are recorded in “Meher Baba Journal”, then current. —

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Among those who are prepared to implicitly follow and obey Meher Baba are quite a number who have not even met him in * Called “Adi S. Irani” ( or, Adi Junior) to distinguish him from ‘Adi K. Irani’ (or, Adi Senior) who is Meher Baba’s Secretary. —

his physical form. Astonishingly enough, among those who are, so to say, prepared to lay down even their lives at a hint or suggestion from Meher Baba, are quite a large number of lovers who do not appear to have been blessed with any sub stantial material or worldly benefit (such as, betterment of economic or family conditions, improvement of health, curing of ailments, etc.) as a result of their contact with Meher Baba. One could also explain such love and obedience on their part as due to “Divine Grace”, or the result of “past connec tions”, or merit earned either in the past or in the present. On the contrary, almost all those who have come into close contact with Meher Baba have been and are subjected to severe experiences narrated graphically by some as “a sweet-smiling ego-surgeon’s seemingly heartless operations”, by some as “a continuous roasting in the fire, or in the pan”, etc. But yet, during all these experiences which are endured by the lovers quite cheerfully, courageously and in a sportsmanlike manner, the lovers who have had the benefit of Baba’s grace or ‘nazar’ have come out of the ordeal, richer than purified gold in every way. In the words of Jean Adriel in her inspiring book* “AVATAR”, published in 1947 : “Just as he (MeherBaba) quickens the positive side of our natures, inspiring us to deeper love, greater faith in God, so does he (Meher Baba) stir in equal measure Under the negative side with its “shadow” manifestation the tremendous impact of Baba’s catalytic effect upon conscious be they seeds of so-called good ness, the seeds in one’s mind inevitably work their way into expression. or so-called evil Since Meher Baba knows that the conflict of the opposites must ultimately be overcome, he deliberately brings the warring elements out into the open, so that the disciple may be compelled to find the way of transcendence. These ‘good’ and ‘bad’ tenden cies, called Samskaras, are the binding effects of past thoughts, emotions and deeds. These karmic fetters, which keep us in spiritual bondage, Meher Baba undertakes to remove, if we submit to his guidance and are accepted by him as disciples. From the moment of such surrender, the consciousness of the disciple is subjected to whatever intensification of experience he needs, in Baba’s judgment, for his cleansing and release”. “The moment one becomes the recipient of Meher Baba’s special attention, karmic forces converge with singular intensity —

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upon the disciple. Whatever good or bad effects the individual soul has accumulated during its journey through time, are brought to one’s conscious attention in an unmistakable and perhaps painful way. Particularly, one is compelled by force of circumstance to rise above all negative reactions, by develop ing those spiritual qualities of courage and resilience, which subsequently are converted into power to be used in the service of the Master”. His intimate lovers, who have been benefited by following and obeying Meher Baba, describe him as an “ego-crushing surgeon” or “ego-specialist”. The word “ego” is not used here with the meaning given to it (‘Real Ego’) in Theosophical litera ture. “Egoism”, in the sense Baba wants us here to understand that expression, is not merely selfishness, or being self-opinionated. To be conscious of our separate existence in any way, is false egoism. Such a slight thing as re-calling “I am a man ; I am sick; I have pain ; I did not sleep”, etc. is false egoism. So also, is any feeling of self-concern or complacency or self-pity. “Hydraheaded though this false ego is”, Baba says, “its main branches are four, namely, craving which arises from gratification of passion or desires, fear, anger and greed”. Baba would never allow anyone to brood, to keep morose, to wear a sullen and sulky face, or to worry, whatever may be the calamity that creates the occasion for any of these. What pleases Meher Baba most is a lover enduring any kind of hardship or suffering with full courage and cheerfulness and not directly or indirectly bring ing it to Meher Baba’s notice or asking for his intervention and blessing for giving relief or alleviation. Time and again, he has forbidden people coming to him, for benefits which are regarded as boons by a worldly man, such as, curing of sickness, betterment of economic conditions, relief from troubles of different kinds, blessings for marriages, children, etc. In spite of these, the love and faith of his innumerable lovers and followers throughout the world is such that they are prepared to undergo any ordeal, any trial, any agony, and merit the love-blessings of Meher Baba. Questions were put to him: “What is your secret ?“. The answer of Meher Baba was : “Elimination of the ego (false ego)”. “What is your line of work ?“. Meher Baba’s answer was : “LOVE AND SERVICE”. He would constantly tell his lovers and followers : “DON’T WORRY. Even though the world collapses around you, do not worry. Worry accumulates and grows in strength, becoming a habit long after the original cause has ceased 10

to be”. “Don’t worry about anything. Keep thinking of Me constantly. I am the only One that exists, the only One that matters”. “Hold on to my ‘daaman’ To those familiar with Bhagawan Krishna’s ‘sayings’ in the Bhagavat Gita, the following are some of the ‘utterances’ of Meher Baba similar to those of Shri Krishna: “I am not limited by this Form. I use it like a garment to make Myself visible to you, and I communicate with you. Don’t try to understand Me. My depth is unfathomable. Just love Me”. “.

“I veil Myself from man by his own curtain of ignorance and manifest My Glory to a few. My present Avataric form is the last incarnation of this Cycle of time, and hence, My manifesta tion will be the greatest”. “I am God personified. You, who have the chance of being in My living presence, are fortunate and blessed”. God the Beyond and God in human form”. “I am God “I was Rama, I was Krishna, I was this One, I was that One, and now I am Meher Baba. In this Form of flesh and blood, I am that same Ancient One who alone is eternally worshipped and ignored, ever remembered and forgotten”. “I am that Ancient One whose past is worshipped and re membered, whose present is ignored and forgotten and whose future (Advent) is anticipated with great fervour and longing”. “Believe Me, I am the Ancient One. Do not doubt that for a moment. I am not this body that you see. It is only a coat I put on, when I visit you”. “Although I take birth for all mankind, fortunate are those who love Me while I am still on earth”. “When I break My silence, people will realize that I am GOD. Blessed are those who recognize Me before I break My silence”. —

“There is no charm in coming to Me after I break My silence. Blessed are those who come to Me now”. “No one requires an introduction to Me, for no one is a stranger to Me. As a matter of fact, they have all come with for many times in previous lives have many introductions they been introduced to Me and have gone away and forgotten Me and met .Me again”. “I clearly see your former lives, with all your intimate and intricate relationships with so many individuals. That which you —

as individuals know at this moment, I knew aeons ago, and what you as individuals in ages to come will be knowing at a particular moment, I know now”. “If My actions cause confusion, it is because of your lack of complete trust. Therefore, uproot all doubt and remember well that whatever I do is for the best. All My actions are My divine response born of My divine love “.

Compare, as instances, the following verses of the Bhagavat Gita: Ch. IV: verses 5, 6; Ch. IX: verse 11; Ch. VII : verses 25, 26; Ch. VI: verse 30 ; Ch. X : verses 10, 11. A word about His workers both in the East and in the West. Meher Baba trains them for universal work, not for their personal enjoyment. His first object is to free them from the bondage of the ego (false ego) (the expression ‘ego’ used here in the sense which Meher Baba wants us to distinguish ‘false ego’ from ‘Real Ego’) which they have acquired in their present and former lives, so that they may be unobstructed channels for Meher Baba’s work. He does not accept any one who does not come forward voluntarily for doing his work. He does not accept any one as a worker who expects, either secretly or indirectly, any benefit even spiritual benefit. Meher Baba has referred to the in return workers as wires and fuses in an electric installation. The electric energy generated at a power-station will flow as light and power into any home, shop, or factory, that is properly wired to receive it. A faulty contact, however remote and slight it be, will cause even an important or distant fuse to be blown off and will cause the supply of light and power to fail, plunging even a large town and all its homes into darkness, and bringing its factories to a sometimes, confusion. Meher Baba’s love flowing standstill through the workers or other lovers to the fellow-beings com pletes “the Divine Circuit”. As a worker, he is engaged in a deep longing to help others to know who and what Meher Baba a child really is and what his brother or fellow-being really is and the worker or the of God, and an heir to His kingdom lover thus maintains his contact with Meher Baba uninter ruptedly. This he does by really loving his neighbour divinely and unselfishly and serving him. In this manner, the workers are souls filled with love of Baba, and the Light, Power and Joy of the Lord. When the workers really ‘love Baba’, they are in reality and in fact channels for Baba’s Avataric work to —

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the humanity, present and also future. The significance of this is very far-reaching and shows it is no easy matter to be a worker of Meher Baba ! Meher Baba undoubtedly loves us. But do we love Meher Baba, as we all ought to ? This is a self-searching question which each has to put to himself or herself. For example, we may be resentful, or of an irritable temper, or envious, or have pride (a ‘superiority complex’), or be a little selfish, or have a possessive instinct, or lack ‘team spirit’, or we may have slipped into the habit of silently or secretly criticising or condemning our neighbour. Any one of these means that we do not love Baba. In other words, it means that we are no longer a channel through which Meher Baba’s compassionate Love can flow to help and heal our neighbour. Thus, ‘to love Meher Baba’ and be His servant or worker is no easy matter ! It requires a hero to do so, and a hero filled with Meher Baba’s Grace The mundane life of a Meher-Baba-lover or worker is not soft or smooth, nor is it intended to be. Meher Baba would say: “I have chosen you all and can work with both your good and bad points”. Meher Baba wants as his workers men and women strong and stable as mountains, who will go through the fire without flinching or faltering, and cheerfully work amidst all oppositions and difficulties of various kinds, without even caring for a word of thanks or even a gesture of appreciation from anyone, least of all from Meher Baba himself. Meher Baba would often stress “Do not get disheartened or alarmed when adversity, calamity, or misfortunes pour upon you. Thank God, for He has thereby given you the opportunity of acquiring forbearance and fortitude. One who has acquired the power of bearing with (enduring) adversity can easily enter upon the Spiritual Path”. In passing, it may be stated with some amount of happy pride and gratifica tion that, by Meher Baba’s grace, there are among Meher Baba’s lovers and workers both in the East and in the West living examples of selfless workers and it is difficult to find their equals anywhere else. They just leave everything to him, and just obey him. Of money or property, Meher Baba has none. In fact, he never touches money at all, except, however, when he gives gifts of cash to the poor or the lepers on certain occasions, and such money is found by some of his lovers. Even the lovers have to obtain Meher Baba’s sanction for making their money on the contrary, so available. It is not to be taken for granted —

it is just otherwise that any offering by a lover, especially of money, will be accepted by Meher Baba. Even the members of Meher Baba’s “Mandali” do not and will not accept any gift in kind or in cash from any lover of Meher Baba unless Baba permits the same and such permission is never given unless Meher Baba is fully convinced that the gift is motivated by selfless love on the part of the donor, and nothing else. Gifts from lovers are not at all encouraged ; in fact, they are notified that no gift should be brought to Meher Baba. If at all Meher Baba seems to accept any gift on certain occasions, it would be just to show his pleasure at the love which prompted the lover to bring an offering or gift. However, such gifts are not retained by Meher Baba but are immediately distributed and given away to others as His prasad. Some of the lovers have offered to Baba what they loved most, such as, fruits, candy, nuts, chocolates, cigarettes, baskets of eggs, bottles of syrup and, though some are disapproved by the orthodox notions, Baba happily accepted the love offerings and distributed them as “prasad”. The modern man loves Baba, also because Baba is most modern. Meher Baba’s physical body met with two serious accidents. Once, on 24th May, 1952, while crossing the American conti nent, Meher Baba along with a few of his lovers was injured in an automobile accident on the road to Prague (Oklahoma) breaking his left arm and left leg and suffering facial injuries. He was given medical treatment in America very promptly and some time after, he recovered. The other and more serious one was on 2nd December, 1956, in a place on the road from Poona to Satara (Maharashtra State, India), when the right side of his body from head to foot, particularly the hip and the pelvic region, sustained serious fractures and injuries. In this second accident, one of his close “Mandali” died on the spot and three others received gruesome fractures and injuries. They have since been cured after prolonged medical treatment and of course by, what the medical persons also described as, “Master Baba’s grace”. These two “personal disasters” were so often pre dicted long before the respective events, and Baba said that they are parts of his Avataric mission and life, that a part of his blood should be shed in America and another part in India. In Baba’s words, “the sufferings are self-imposed” by him and such “self-imposed suffering is begotten of My (Meher Baba’s) compassion and love for mankind”. Meher Baba could have in a moment cured himself or rid himself from re-action or —

perhaps prevented or averted such disasters. Perfect Masters do not abrogate the Law which they themselves have established, but they humbly submit themselves to it and bear the limitations and sufferings of ordinary human life. They also make use of the law of action and reaction by inviting the suffering upon themselves that would otherwise have befallen upon huma nity as its just due. Humanity finds its redemption from its Karma through Meher Baba’s suffering. Meher Baba said on the oc casions of those two disasters : “The last thing I would do is to avert or avoid it”. “I expect from you a deep understanding of My self-imposed suffering”. In the words of a poet, one of Baba’s ‘Mandali’ “We may not know, we cannot tell What pains he had to bear But we believe it was for us He hung and suffered there”. He maintained the trait of very quick walking (which he had even as a boy) till he met with the second ‘personal disaster’ on 2nd December, 1956. It would be a strain for others to keep pace with him ; in fact, the majority of those accompanying him would have to run, to keep pace with his ordinary quick walking. Further, in. spite of these ‘personal disasters’, he continues to be very alert, active and brisk and maintains and radiates an unusually dynamic and vibrant smile and cheerfulness. Almost everyone who has come in contact with Meher Baba has been found to be attracted to him and has stuck to his “daaman” (which means, that he has full unswerving one hundred per cent. faith in and love for Meher Baba and that he is trying to obey and follow Meher Baba fully to the end, through thick and thin). Everyone has gained experiences which are pecu liar, unique and distinctive to each respectively, perhaps according to the individual levels, requirements and receptivity. The working of Meher Baba on his lovers and on the masses in general may be said to be rather “internal” (this word is used for want of a better expression). Meher Baba often is deeply immersed in esoteric work and it is believed that no event of the world happens except by His will. On occasions of such ‘inner work’ on other planes than are visible to the ordinary observer, Meher Baba forbids anyone to come near him. the occasions depending purely Meher Baba occasionally on his pleasure and will —meets his lovers, gives them “darshcm” —

or “sahavas” (company) and sometimes also gives “dctrshan” to the public. Thousands and tens of thousands are known to have rushed eagerly and availed of such opportunities of Meher Baba’s public “darshan”. On such occasions, as a symbolic token of his love-blessings, Meher Baba distributes also prasad. During such meetings, Meher Baba keeps the atmosphere humorous, conveying here and there spiritual truths with deep meanings. “Each person who receives the prascid from Meher Baba or who has Baba’s ‘darshan’ is bene fited according to his or her own receptivity”. “Perfect Masters can impart divine knowledge, bestow divine love and shower the grace of God-union, by a mere glance, touch or single divine thought”. To refer to such “darshans” during the recent years Meher Baba had some years ago promised a “sahavas” to men and women of the East and the West. It was planned to be in India in 1958, then postponed to May 1962, and finally, it came off in November, 1962. It lasted for five days, 1st to 5th Novem ber, 1962. Meher Baba’s lovers came from all parts of the world some travelling 18,000 miles and some spending all their life’s savings, to make the trip. The venue of the “sahavas” was the bungalow named “Guru Prasad”, in Poona. On 1st November, Baba met 144 Western men and women at 9. a.m. in the main hall. Every morning, on all the five days, the Western lovers sat around Baba from 9 a.m. to 11.30 a.m., enjoying the bliss of his company and, as it were, “drinking the nectar of His wisdom”. In the afternoon, at 2.40 p.m. on 1st November, Baba ap peared on the platform specially erected and decorated for the occasion, amidst thundering cheers of “AVATAR MEHER BABA KI JAI”, as the entire audience of Western and the Eastern lovers stood nearly 5,5Q0 in number. This East-West Gathering was not meant for giving aiy discourses, though in the mornings Baba would throw out by gestures some discourses when the Western lovers sat round him. Every afternoon, a fleeting pano rama of faces, dark and fair, all equally aglow with love, flashed past Baba, one by one. At the close of the afternoon session, a group of women each one dressed in one of the seven colours, performed with trays of lighted camphor “aarti”, while varie gated coloured lights played over them. The “aarti” song is in Hindi composed by Madhusudhan and party (Baba-lovers) and is —

available as a gramophone record from a leading concern and is much in demand. The Journal “THE AWAKENER” brought out a Special Number (Vol. IX, Nos. 1 and 2) giving a factual record of this great “sahctvas”. Francis Brabazon has also pub lished a book styled “East-West Gathering” on this “sahavas”. The next “darshan” Baba gave was in April-June of 1963, at a building placed Poona, in the same bungalow “Guru Prasad” at his disposal during those months by its owner, a Baba-lover. His lovers came every week-end to, as it were, “bask in the sun shine of His LOVE”. During these meetings, Baba gave many short ‘discourses’ and would often explain (by his gestures which would be, then and there, interpreted by one of his “Mandali”) the “ghazals” sung before him by artistes of repute. “Ghazals” are the expressions of rapture, anguish and longing from a lover’s heart for the Divine Beloved. Baba enjoyed some of the “ghazals” sung by one famous Woman artiste by name Begum Akhtar, and she always poured out her tears and her heart to Him while she sang her “ghazals”. During those week-end meetings with his lovers (who would come from long distances to remain with Baba a few minutes), Baba would often ‘tell’ amusing incidents and experiences which the “Mandali” had during their long years with him. “Guru Prasad” bungalow became the rendezvous of all Baba-lovers during the months April-June 1963. A few came from the U.S.A., U.K., Australia, Persia and other countries, just for a few minutes’ stay in Baba’s presence and left India, without going to any other part of India. In 1964, though Meher Baba was in Poona during the months April-June, he did not then give “darshan” to his lovers. But, the next year, 1st May, 1965, found Baba-lovers swarming like bees to their hive in Poona, where Baba held a “sahavas” for the Eastern lovers. Almost all the hotels, rest-houses, public buildings, many of the schools (vacation time) were full of Baba-lovers, and some of the trains and buses coming to Poona had only Baba-lovers. People travelled thousands of miles in the hot summer for the bliss of remaining in the presence of their Beloved Baba just for a few hours. On the 1st May, 1965, there was a meeting at the Hall of the Poona Meher Centre where Baba gave “darshan”. To a welcome speech, Eruch read out Baba’s reply in which Baba said: “I am happy that in welcoming Me to this Hall which in your love you have built for My work, you are welcoming me to a place in your lives and a seat in each of your hearts. For it —

is to live in your hearts and to share in your lives that I have come among you”. From the 2nd May to the 6th May, 1965, Baba gave his “sahaveis” at “Guru Prasad” bungalow, Poona, and the number that gathered daily during those days and lined up in queues to go once near Baba was about 6,000. Though the programme was to commence at 7.30 a.m., people got ready by 4 a.m. and stood waiting in queues outside the gates of the bun galow daily. Many who had Baba’s darshan left Baba’s presence with a glowing smile and of having obtained something valuable to cherish all their lifetime ; some were moved to tears at having to leave his presence too soon, and some with hopes of meeting him again, and many trying to linger around at a distance so that they may continue to have a look at Baba from a distance. Each “sahavas” (gathering) after a few hours would end in the “aarti”. The following is the expression of those present at Poona during the six days : “Whether paradise exists high above the clouds or not, whether paradise is a posthumous mental state of intense joy or not, paradise had definitely descended to “Guru Prasad” bungalow during these six days, at any rate, for those thousands of men, women, children of all castes, religions, walks of life, States, languages, who had come there and seen Meher Baba their Beloved, cheerful and radiant on the dais a memory which shall remain ever green”. Some had come from foreign countries also, just to have Baba’s ‘darshan’ during those six days. Two days are celebrated every year by all Baba-lovers at all places in the world. One is the Birthday (which is the 25th February) and the other the Silence anniversary (which is the 10th July). At many places, Baba-lovers celebrate and have “mela” (fairs, etc.) on the anniversaries of the dates of Baba’s first visit to such places. At Nauranga (U.P.), Kovvur (Andhra Pradesh), at Dehra Dun (U.P.), statues of Baba have been erected on sites which are called “Meher Dham” or “Mehersthan” and regarded as places of worship and pilgrimage. In another village in U.P. called Maheva (Hamirpur District, U.P.), a cons truction at what is named “Meher-asthana” is in progress and this perhaps would be regarded as an important place for lovers of Meher Baba. All the above places are full of spiritual experiences to Baba-lovers, the places being surcharged with Baba’s dynamic Love and Grace. “Meher-abad” (Upper and Lower) near Ahmednagar and the places where Baba stayed and worked in the early days and where the physical body of Baba would be —

entombed after it drops, and “Meher-azad” (in Pimpalgaon village near Ahmednagar) are places which Baba-lovers visit whenever permitted. They will become reputed places in the future. The celebrations of the Birthday, the Silence day and other meetings, proces important days are always on mammoth scale sions, distributions of literature, photos, lockets, of food and clothing to the poor (called in India “Narayana seva” which means service to God in the human form of the poor), bhajans, kirtan, dance dramas, “Burra katha” (Baba’s life-story in ballad songs), opening of free dispensaries, exhibitions of articles and pictures depicting Baba’s life and work, talks on the All India Radio, etc. and these, for several days preceding and following the actual day of observance. Baba would send his special mes sages in advance for such days to all the centres and groupheads and all the Journals devoted to Meher Baba would also publish the same. They would also be translated in the various languages for the benefit of those unacquainted with English. For instance, Baba’s special message for the 71st Birthday (25-2-1965) was : “Be true to the trust I repose in you and remember me wholeheartedly. My love and blessings to you”. For the 72nd Birthday (25-2-1966), the special message was : “Be composed in the reality of My Love, for all confusion and despair is your own shadow which will vanish when I speak THE WORD”. Of miracles, about which the ordinary man is more curious and with which he is impressed, although Meher Baba would say : “I perform no miracles and will perform none”, there definitely have been and are innumerable miracles. Lepers have been cured, deaths averted, poor families which were once desti tute and living on charity have become blessed with affluent circumstances, criminals have reformed admirably, persons separated from each other with bitter feelings have become friendly and begun to sincerely love each other, and so on. To quote Meher Baba: “Miracles, whether performed by Perfect Masters or by socalled ‘yogis’, are mere illusions in comparison with the Everlast ing Truth, and are not more real than the shadows of this world. Miracles performed by so-called ‘yogis’ are essentially selfish, as they are invariably based on personal (egoistic) motives; whereas the miracles of Sadgurus and Perfect Masters are ab solutely selfless, as they are based on the principle of giving a spiritual push to humanity.,. —

“God has to be known through LOVE and not through the intellectual search after miracles. That is the reason why, for those who are closest and dearest to Me, I do not perform miracles. I would rather have no following than use miracles for convincing others of My Divinity. It is true that while loving Me people often do have spiritual experiences which were hitherto unknown to them ; and these experiences help them in the further opening of their hearts”. For a fuller exposition by Meher Baba on MIRACLES, please study

the

Chapter

‘SUPERVENING

ORDERS

SPIRITUAL

PANORAMA’ in the Book “BEAMS FROM MEHER BABA”*.

It may also be said that Meher Baba is a complete enigma to the intellectual or rational mind. But, by such a criterion, Meher Baba cannot be judged, because he does not function on the intellectual plane. Strange and inexplicable to the rational mind would seem his ways. On the other hand, when one looks at his capacity for organisation, for attention to details, for large-scale direction and movement, for strict punctuality, promptness and quickness of action, for discipline combined with affection and compassion, for atten tion to the small details of the creature comforts of his lovers whom he invites for meeting him, at public gatherings, on travels, etc. all these qualities are unquestionably characteristics of a balanced and rational mind Meher Baba has no equal. —

—

A very common criticism is that Meher Baba very often and suddenly changes his plans and programmes, so much so, it gives an impression that ‘he is not sure of himself’. It is difficult to answer this at the human level, by arguments and logic. The utterance of Baba in answer to this (at Nasik (India) —1937) is worthy of note “I never make plans, never change plans. It is all one end less plan of making people know that there is no plan”. Once, a raw Theosophist in the West, after reading his dis courses and messages, put Meher Baba the question: “Is God a person or a power 7”. Baba’s answer was : “God is both per sonal and impersonal. He is in art, in literature, in science, and in fact, in everything”. *

The things which Meher Baba Will not tolerate in any cir cumstances and by any one, howsoever high-placed he may be, are : (i) observance of caste, especially by the orthodox so-called high-caste people towards the so-called “depressed” or “un touchables”, (ii) hypocrisy, posing, and (iii) back-biting. According to Meher Baba: “The real untouchables are those who cannot enter the temple of their own hearts and see the Lord therein”. “Do not get angry, but be pleased with him who back-bites you, for he thereby renders service to you by diminishing the load of your Sanskaras and also pity him, for thereby he makes his own load of Sanskaras more burdensome —

“.

“Don’t criticise. The habit of criticising our fellow-beings is a bad one. At the back of it, often lies self-righteousness, conceit and a false sense of superiority ; sometimes, it indicates envy or a desire for retaliation”. Another strange feature not found in the accepted orthodox Sadgurus is Meher Baba’s interest in motion pictures and also in games, such as, cricket, etc. and in all the current events in the world. Meher Baba has been known to use the motion pictures, cricket matches, etc. as potent means of quickening mass consciousness, availing of the excited and tense situations. during the course of a play in a theatre or a match in a field, by being present incognito. He is the Modern Avatar suited in every way to the modern man and the present Age. The question is asked : “What is he and what is his business?”. One answer, though not all-comprehensive, would be : He the Ancient One in the modern garb, the Infinite is God-Man Source of Wisdom and Justice, and the personification of Divine Love. Saints are His assets and sinners (so-called) are His liabilities. His business as Avatar is to go on turning His liabili ties into assets. “The saints of the present were the sinners of the past”. Another question is asked: “What is the benefit which His lovers have received, or will receive ?“. The answer is ‘by no means easy. Only those who have met him and who have had the good fortune of realising the exquisite joy imparted by his presence, his dynamic and vibrant love, and of enjoying the charm of his touch or embrace or smile or gesture or prasad or token of his abundant Love, can testify what the experience really means to —

though one would wonder whether they can at all ade them quately express the experience in words. “He has the gift to appear to each lover as if he loved him/her very specially and parti cularly”. Further, in the words of Meher Baba, this is what is promised: —

DIRECT JOURNEY TO GOD

“The masses who try to attain the Truth by following rites and rituals are, as it were, in the goods train which is detained inde finitely at various stations. Those who sincerely and devotedly meditate on God or dedicate their lives to the service of humanity are, as it were, in the ordinary train which stops at every station according to the time-table. But those who seek the company of the Truth-realized Master and carry out his orders in full surrenderance and faith are, as it were, in a special train which will take them to the goal in the shortest possible time, without halts at intermedIate stations”.

The Divine Love which radiates from Meher Baba and permeates through his ‘words’, gestures, actions and activities, is utterly selfless and wholly universal. Meher Baba unfailingly [for that awakens in those who come in contact with him matter, the contact need not be actually physically and directly with the Master : the contact may be a thought-contact, or by just getting a photograph of Baba or a tract or a booklet about him, or attending a meeting of his lovers, or associating a new deep and beautiful under with one of his lovers] standing of life and its glorious purpose, which is not only to experience God, but to become consciously united with God. “God alone is real and the goal of life is to be united with Him says Meher Baba. through Love”. “When one remains completely resigned to the Divine Will of God, all service, sacrifice, solitude, seeking and surrenderance Meher Baba. merely symbolize one’s Love for God”. and why he ‘silence’ observing has Baba been Why Meher do, may be to he promises what and observe it to continues ‘sayings’ of his of some deep understanding a gleaned from Baba To quote and ‘messages’. “If you were to ask me why I do not talk, I would say, mostly for three reasons : Firstly, I feel that through you all, I am talking eternally. Secondly, to relieve the boredom of talking incessantly through your forms, I keep silence in my personal physical form —

—

And thirdly, because all talk in itself is idle talk. Lectures, mes sages, statements, discourses of any kind, spiritual or otherwise, imparted through utterances or writings are just idle talk when not acted upon or lived up to”. Meher Baba has been declaring that he would soon break his Silence and utter the One Word of Words which would shake the world. Each understands this declaration at his/her own level, and also indulges in one’s own guesses. The implications of this oft-repeated (and oft-postponed) declaration or promise are awaited by humanity. In the meanwhile, the following, which are a few of Meher Babà’s many “utterances” or “declarations”, would appear to be very significant and mea ningful: “Unity in the midst of diversity can be made to be felt only by touching the very core of the heart. That is the work for which I have come to sow the seed of love in your hearts I have come so that, in spite of all superficial diversity which your life in illusion must experience and endure, the feeling of oneness, through love, is brought about amongst all the nations, creeds, sects and castes of the world”. “When I break my silence, it will not be to fill your ears with spiritual lectures. I shall speak only One Word and this Word will penetrate the hearts of all men and make even the so-called sinner feel that he is meant to be a saint, while the saint will know that God is in the sinner as much as He is in himself. Whei I speak that Word, I shall lay the foundation for that which is to take place during the next 700 years”. Most of Baba’s “utterances” (through gestures and recorded) about “THE WORD” and “the Breaking of the Silence” have been collected in a small brochure titled “What does ‘Speaking The Word’ Mean ?“. Recently, the Hon’ble Mr. Justice P. B. Mukhar ji, the senior-most and top-ranking sitting Judge of the Calcutta High Court (also an eminent Jurist) and well versed in matters of philosophy and spirituality (regarded by many also as a mystic personality) gave a clear exposition on Baba’s “UTTERING OF THE ONE WORD”, and this is available as a printed booklet in English (also translated into some Indian languages). Meher Baba recently caused the following special messages to be sent respectively to two different lovers and they are pub lished here, so as to benefit the whole humanity :— 23

In this very life of yours, you will witness the restjlt of the uttering of the Original Word when Baba breaks His Silence till then, Baba. wishes you to hold on to His daaman... that soon after November, 1967, all those Who love Baba wholeheartedly with implicit faith in Him will have His Grace to know Who He Is It may be appropriate to conclude this “Introductory Sketch on the Life and Work of Avatar Meher Baba” with the following excerpt from a recent article of a distinguished Godlover (a great and old soul, now in a young body) and to commend it for contemplation “...Meher Baba is the Way. He is the Goal. As a man seeking for the vale of happiness may toil for days and nights through a maze of mountain ranges and come at last to a dead wall or rock and find himself despairing until a sudden casual push may move aside a bush, or a stone, and disclose a gate through which he may rush to the top of the highest peak, wondering how he had failed to see it all the while, and may behold spread clearly and still before him the panorama of the scenes of his toilsome journey on the one side, and the scenes of the happy vale of scenting flowers, fruits and crystal waters on the other, such is the finding of this great summation. All the problems that bewildered him ere nw receive easy solution. The breaking of Meher Baba’s Silence and the release of Love and Grace shall similarly throw openthe gates to Eternity. To groping humanity, Meher Baba has given the Divine Call “Come all unto Me”. Let us hearken to His Call and let our ‘parched lips’ taste of the pure waters of the Eternal Life which He brings. In moments of complete despair when the world is seized with tension all around, it is really cheering to discover that Meher Baba shall revive mankind from madness to sanity, from gloom to happiness, from chaos to order, from darkness to Light. Meher Baba is the new hope of despairing Humanity “.

“.

—

Note:

This brochure is intended to be just a brief sketch and that of an introductory nature—(yet, imperfect and perhaps, inadequate)—only to introduce the reader to a deeper study of the other publications and journals and to help one to contact Meher Baba during one’s lifetime (if and when opportunities are available). At the moment, Meher Baba is in strict seclusion and has prohibited visitors and lovers from meeting Him till the end of 1967. June, 1966 : Calcutta

AUTHOR

THE HIGH-ROADS TO GOD The quickest of these High-Roads to God lies through the GodMan, who is consciously One with the Truth. In the God-Man, God reveals Himself in all His glory, with His Infinite Power, Unfathomable Knowledge, Inexpressible Bliss and Eternal Existence. The path through the God-Man is available only to those fortunate ones, who approach Him, in complete surren der and unwavering faith. Such complete surrender to the God-Man is, however, possible only to the very advanced aspirants. But when this is not possible, the other High-Roads which can eventually win the Grace of God, are :— (1) Love for God and intense longing to see Him and to be united with Him. (2) Being in constant company with the saints and lovers of God and rendering them whole-hearted service. (3) Avoiding lust, greed, anger, hatred and the temptations for power, fame and fault-finding. (4) Leaving everyone and everything in complete external renunciation, anti in solitude, devoting oneself to fasting, prayer and meditation. (5) Carrying on all worldly duties with equal acceptance of success or failure, with a pure heart and clean mind and remaining unattached in the midst of intense activity ; and (6) Selfless service of humanity, without any thought of gain or reward”. MEHER BABA —

RECENT

MESSAGES

“Be composed in the Reality of My Love, for all confusion and despair is your own shadow which will vanish when I speak THE WORD”. “Shun those masters who are like multi-coloured electric signs that flash on and off, brightening the dark sky of your world for a moment and leaving you in darkness again”. “I am the Sun which is hidden by the shadow of yourself. Cease think ing that you are your shadow, and you will find that the Sun which I am is your own Reality”. “All that frightens and confuses you and grips you with despair is your own shadow. When the Sun of Love manifests in Its Glory, and all faces are turned towards that Radiance, all shadows will have disappeared even the memory of them will have vanished”. —

“I am the joy in your heart and the despair of your mind attain which the intellect cannot fathom”.

—

for Love can

“A post, to stand erect and firm, must have its butt-end sunk well into the ground. Likewise, my lover needs to have the base of his faith deeply embedded in My Divinity, if he would remain steadfast in his love”. MEHER BABA —

‘I

IMPORTANT PUBLICATIONS BY 1. 2. 3. 4.

5. 6. 7.

AND

ABOUT MEHER BABA

GOD SPEAKS THE GOD-MAN AVATAR CiviusA-rioN OR CHAOS? STAY WITH GOD DISCOURSES (Five Volumes, each Rs. 5/-) ...

Rs. 30 30 15 11 12

...

25 25

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LISTEN, HUMANITY 8. GOD TO MAN AND MAN TO GOD 9. BEAMS FROM MEHER BABA 10. LIFE AT ITS BEST 11. IN QUEST OF TRUTH 12. THE EVERYTHING AND THE NOTHING ...

...

15 7 7

...

13. 14.

15. 16. 17. 18.

19. 20. 21. 22. 23.

...

IN LAP OF LOVE “THE AWAKENER”, English Quarterly (published in New York): Subscription, inclusive of registered postage, Rs. 10/- per annum. “DIvYA VANI”, Monthly in English; published in Hyderabad-29 (Andhra Pradesh), Subs: Rs. 12/- per annum. “MEHER JYOTI”, Weekly in Telugu; Subs: Rs. 6/per annum. Published in Hyderabad-29. “MEHER PLJKAR”, a Hindi Monthly published in Hamir pur (U.P.); Subs: Rs. 5/- per annum. “AVATAR MEHER”, a Telugu Monthly. Published in Mehersthan, Kovvur (W. G. Dt.) (Andhra Pradesh): Subs: Rs. 4/- per annum. “THE GLOW”, an English Quarterly: Published in Dehra Dun (U.P.). Subs: Rs. 2/- per annum. “THE GOD-MAN”, a Bi-Monthly (English and Hindi): Published in Jabalpur (M.P.). Subs : Rs. 3/- per annum. a Mahrathi Weekly: Nagpur. “THE CHAVHATA”, periodical: Raipur (M. P.). Hindi a GUIDE”, “THE “MEHER MuNA VANE”, in three languages: edited by DR. C. D. DESHMUKH, M.A., PH.D., Nagpur. AND OTHER BOOKS in English, and in Hindi, Mahrathi, Gujarathi, Taniil, Telugu, Bengali, and other Indian languages. Literature and Books also in French, Spanish, and German. ...

Please enquire: ADI K. IRANI, KING’S ROAD,

AHMEDNAGAR (MAHARASHTRA

INDTA

STATE)

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...

A. C. S. CHART, KOMALA VILA5

73, RASHBEHARI AVENUE

CALCUTTA-26